Case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a paintbrush comprises a releasably engageable body and a cap. The body has a mouth for receiving bristles of the paintbrush. The cap has an end wall and a skirt extending from the end wall. The end wall has an aperture configured to allow a handle of the paintbrush pass therethrough. The bristles of the paintbrush are enclosed in the protective case when the cap and the body are engaged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to painting accessories and, in particular, to an improved case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush.

2. Description of the Related Art

Devices for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush when the paintbrush is not being used are well known. The device may be in the form of a bag similar to the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,445 which issued to Mull on Dec. 29, 1992. Mull discloses a storage bag assembly for storing a paintbrush between uses. The assembly comprises a foil bag for receiving the bristles and the adjacent portion of the ferrule. The bag has a relatively flat bottom for supporting the bag in an upright position and a pair of vertical pleats for permitting an upper edge of the bag to be closed around the ferrule of the paintbrush. The paintbrush is provided with a relatively wide elastic band positioned in a stretched condition around the ferrule of the paintbrush. The elastic band is rollable onto itself to form a band of increased thickness to serve as a drip guard. The paintbrush can also be suspended on the edge of the foil bag by the rolled-up elastic band. The elastic band is unrollable downwardly over the upper edge of the foil bag to secure the bristles of the brush in the bag and seal the contents of the bag therein.

The device may alternatively be in the form of a case or sheath similar to the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,090 which issued to Keith on Sep. 14, 1993. Keith discloses a comb and sheath assembly for protecting a paintbrush and maintaining bristles of the paintbrush in good condition between uses. The comb has a support and a series of teeth extending from the support. The sheath has opposed first and second halves. Each half has a base with an inner surface and an outer surface. There are also means for reversibly securing the halves together in a closed condition. Sidewalls extend between the bases of the halves when the sheath is in a closed condition to define, with the inner surfaces, an interior cavity and to define, with the outer surfaces, an exterior space. The sidewalls further define a handle opening therein sized to permit a handle of the paintbrush to extend therethrough. The interior cavity is suitable to receive the bristles and the handle opening is suitable to permit the handle to extend into the exterior space. There is also means for securing the comb and sheath together with the teeth being located in the exterior space. The condition of the bristles is maintained by combing the bristles with the comb.

The device may still alternatively be in the form of a holder similar to the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,757,931 which issued to Nordstrom on Jul. 6, 2004. Nordstrom discloses a protective holder for use with a paintbrush. The holder has a flexible sleeve that is configured to be snuggly positioned about a substantial portion of a paintbrush. The sleeve has an aperture through which the handle of a brush may extend. The sleeve may also include absorbent material that captures liquid that dribbles down from the applicator portion of a paintbrush when the paintbrush is held vertically. The holder also has a protective segmented skirt that is operatively connected to the sleeve. The segments or panels of the skirt may be selectively moved between a protective storage position where the skirt substantially encircles the applicator portion of a brush, and a protective use position where the skirt substantially encircles the handle of a brush. The holder may also have a fastener to maintain the skirt in either of its protective positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush between uses.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush which minimizes the need to chemically wash the paintbrush and reduces the discharge of paint residue and chemicals into the environment.

There is accordingly provided a protective case for a paintbrush comprising a releasably engageable body and a cap. The body has a mouth for receiving bristles of the paintbrush. The cap has an end wall and a skirt extending from the end wall. The end wall has an aperture configured to allow a handle of the paintbrush to pass therethrough. The bristles of the paintbrush are enclosed in the protective case when the cap and the body are engaged.

There is also provided a protective case for a paintbrush comprising a body and a cap which are releasably and slidably engageable. The body has a mouth for receiving bristles of the paintbrush. The cap has an end wall and a skirt extending from the end wall. The end wall has an aperture configured to allow a handle of the paintbrush to pass therethrough. There is an absorbent liner disposed about the aperture in the end wall of the cap. The bristles of the paintbrush are enclosed and substantially sealed in the protective case when the cap and the body are engaged.

In one specific embodiment the skirt of the cap may receive the mouth of the body and fit slidable over an end of the body adjacent to the mouth of the body. There may be an outwardly projecting flange on the body functioning as a stop to restrict slidable movement of the cap along the body when the cap and the body are slidable engaged. There may also or alternatively be a contour in the skirt of the cap functioning as a stop to restrict slidable movement of the cap along the body when the cap and the body are engaged. The skirt of the cap may have an inwardly projecting rib and the body may have an outwardly projecting rib, wherein the inwardly projecting rib and outwardly projecting rib function to lock the cap on the body. The body may also have a wedge shaped receptacle portion opposite of the mouth. The wedge shaped receptacle portion may have a transversely sloped thin edge.

In another specific embodiment of the case the mouth of the body may receive the skirt of the cap with the mouth fitting slidably over the skirt. The mouth of the body may have an inwardly projecting rib and the skirt of the cap may have an outwardly projecting rib, wherein the inwardly projecting rib and outwardly projecting rib function to lock the cap on the body. The body may also have a wedge shaped receptacle portion opposite of the mouth. The wedge shaped receptacle portion may have a transversely sloped thin edge.

The case disclosed herein keeps the bristles of the paintbrush wet with paint allowing a user to go for lunch, or home for the night or weekend, without having to wash the paintbrush or wrap the paintbrush in a paint soaked bag. This extends the life of the paintbrush without the need to wash the paintbrush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first embodiment for a protective case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush with the cap and body thereof separated;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the protective case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, rear elevation view of a body of the protective case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the body of the protective case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a cap of the protective case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view showing a paintbrush partially disposed in the case of FIG. 1 with the cap removed from the body;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view showing a paintbrush disposed in the protective case of FIG. 1 with the cap engaged with the body;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of second embodiment for a protective case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush with the cap and body thereof separated;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of third embodiment for a protective case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush with the cap and body thereof separated; and

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of fourth embodiment for a protective case for protecting the bristles of a paintbrush with the cap and body thereof separated.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 there is shown a protective case 10 for a paintbrush 58 which is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The protective case 10 includes a body 12 and a cap 14 which releasably engages the body. The body 12 has a mouth 16 at a first end 18 thereof and a receptacle portion 20 at a second end 22 thereof. The receptacle portion 20 of the body 12 is wedge shaped as best shown in FIG. 4. Peripheral side walls, for example side wall 24 shown in FIG. 4 and side wall 26 shown in FIG. 1, extend from the wedge shaped receptacle portion 20 to the mouth 16. There are additional side walls (not shown) opposite to side walls 24 and 26. Referring back to FIG. 1, the cap 14 has a planar end wall 28 and skirt 30 extending from the end wall 28. There is also an aperture 32 extending through the end wall 28 of the cap 14. In this example, and as illustrated by broken lines 100 and 102, the cap 14 is shaped to slidably fit over the mouth 16 of the body 12 with the skirt 30 of the cap 14 receiving the first end 18 of the body inside the cap. In other embodiments the skirt of the cap may be received inside the mouth of the body.

There is an outwardly projecting lateral flange 34 extending about the body 12 of the case 10. The flange 34 functions to strengthen the body 12. The flange also functions as a stop to restrict slidable movement of the cap 14 over the body 12 towards the wedge shaped receptacle portion 20 of the body 12. Slidable movement of the cap 14 along the body 12 may alternatively be restricted by providing the skirt 30 of the cap 14 with a contour 36 which narrows a cross section of the skirt. There is a first plurality of outwardly projecting lateral ribs 38 a, 38 b and 38 c disposed on a front of the body 12 between the flange 34 and the mouth 16 of the body 12. The ribs 38 a, 38 b and 38 c extend substantially parallel to the flange 34 and function to lock the cap 14 on the body 12 through engagement with a corresponding inwardly projecting rib 40 disposed on the skirt 30 of the cap 14.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is a second plurality of outwardly projecting ribs 42 a, 42 b and 42 c disposed on a rear of the body 12 between the flange 34 and the mouth 16 of the body 12. The ribs 42 a, 42 b and 42 c extend substantially parallel to the flange 34 and function to lock the cap 14 on the body 12 through engagement with a corresponding inwardly projecting rib 44 disposed on the skirt 30 of the cap 14.

There is also a magnet 46 disposed on the rear of the body 12. As best shown in FIG. 3, the magnet 46 is retained within a recess 47 defined by an annular projection 48. The annular projection 48 is circumambient to an elongate projection 50 which is disposed in a center of the annular projection. The elongate projection 50 functions to secure the magnet 46 to the body 12 by engaging an aperture 52 in the magnet. A suitable adhesive may also be used to secure the magnet 26 to the body 12. There are ribs 54 a and 54 b which each extend along a chord of the annular projection 48. The ribs 54 a and 54 b are disposed on opposite sides of the elongate projection 50 and function to help maintain the shape of the annular projection 48.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the cap 14 is provided with an inner liner 56 formed of an absorbent material such as polyurethane which is capable of capturing and retaining paint drippings. The inner liner 56 is disposed about the aperture 32 in the end wall 28 of the cap 14. A suitable adhesive is used to secure the inner lining to an inner surface (not shown) of the end wall 28 of the cap 14.

In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the protective case 10 is used to protect the paintbrush 58. The paintbrush 58 is conventional and includes a handle 60, a ferrule 62 and bristles 64. The bristles 64 are received by the body 12 while the cap 14 encircles the ferrule 62 of the paintbrush 58 in a nesting relation. It is possible for the cap 14 to encircle the ferrule 60 because the handle 60 of the paintbrush 58 extends through the aperture 32 in the end wall 28 of the cap 14 with the inner liner 56 sealing the cap against the handle. Accordingly, as best shown in FIG. 7, sliding engagement of the body 12 and cap 14 encloses and substantially seals the bristles 62 in the protective case 10. This allows the bristles 62 to dry.

The wedge shaped receptacle portion 20 of the body 12 of the protective case 10 physically retains the bristles 64 in the form of a new brush and prevent the bristles from splaying. In this example, the body 12 of the protective case 10 is asymmetrical with the wedge shaped receptacle portion 20 having a transversely sloped thin edge 66. The protective case 10 may also be transparent or translucent to allow a user to readily determine the color of paint on the bristles. This allows the user to easily switch brushes depending on the color of paint required for a job when a number of brushes are disposed in corresponding protective cases. The magnet 46 (shown in FIG. 2) on each protective case 10 allow the cases to be conveniently mounted on a metallic surface for storage or transport.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a second embodiment of a protective case 80 is shown. The protective case 80 shown in FIG. 8 is generally similar to the protective case 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. However, a body 82 of the protective case 80 is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting ribs 84 a, 84 b and 84 c while a skirt 86 of a cap 88 of the protective case 80 is provided with an outwardly projecting rib 90. The skirt 86 of the cap 88 is received in a mouth 92 of the body 82 as illustrated by broken lines 106 and 108. The mouth 92 of the body 82 fits slidably over the skirt 86 of the cap 88. The inwardly projecting ribs 84 a, 84 b and 84 c and the outwardly projecting rib 90 function to lock the cap in the body.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a third embodiment of the protective case 110 is shown. The protective case 110 shown in FIG. 10 is generally similar to the protective case 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 with like parts being given like reference numerals in the “100” series. For example, in FIG. 1 the body of the case 10 is called out by reference numeral 12 while in FIG. 9 the body of the case 10 is called out by reference numeral 112. However, instead of a plurality of inwardly extending ribs, the body 112 of the protective case 110 is provided with grooves 92 a, 92 b, and 92 c for receiving the inwardly projecting lateral rib 140 disposed on the cap 114. This allows for step locking of the protective case 110.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of the protective case 110 is shown. The protective case 180 shown in FIG. 10 is generally similar to the protective case 80 shown in FIGS. 8 with like parts being given like reference numerals in the “100” series. For example, in FIG. 1 the cap of the case 80 is called out by reference numeral 86 while in FIG. 10 the cap of the case 180 is called out by reference numeral 186. However, instead of an inwardly extending rib, the cap 186 of the protective case 180 is provided with groove 94 for receiving one of the outwardly projecting lateral ribs 184 a, 184 b and 184 c disposed on the body 112. This allows for step locking of the protective case 180.

It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims. 

1. A protective case for a paintbrush, the paintbrush having a handle and bristles, and the case comprising: a body having a mouth for receiving the bristles of the paintbrush; and a cap releasably engageable with the body, the cap having an end wall and a skirt extending from the end wall, the end wall having an aperture configured to allow the handle of the paintbrush to pass therethrough, whereby the bristles of the paintbrush are enclosed in the protective case when the cap and the body are engaged.
 2. The protective case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cap and body are slidably engageable.
 3. The protective case as claimed in claim 2 wherein the skirt of the cap receives the mouth of the body, the skirt of the cap fitting slidably over an end of the body adjacent to the mouth of the body.
 4. The protective case as claimed in claim 3 further including an outwardly projecting flange on the body, the flange functioning as a stop to restrict slidable movement of the cap along the body when the cap and the body are engaged.
 5. The protective case as claimed in claim 3 further including a contour in the skirt of the cap, the contour functioning as a stop to restrict slidable movement of the cap along the body when the cap and the body are engaged
 6. The protective case as claimed in claim 3 wherein the skirt of the cap has an inwardly projecting rib and the body has an outwardly projecting rib, the inwardly projecting rib and the outwardly projecting rib functioning to lock the cap on the body.
 7. The protective case as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mouth of the body receives the skirt of the cap, the mouth of the body fitting slidably over the skirt of the cap.
 8. The protective case as claimed in claim 7 wherein the body has an inwardly projecting rib and the skirt of the cap has an outwardly projecting rib, the inwardly projecting rib and the outwardly projecting rib functioning to lock the cap on the body.
 9. The protective case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body has a wedge shaped receptacle portion opposite of the mouth.
 10. The protective case as claimed in claim 9 wherein the wedge shaped receptacle has a transversely sloped thin edge.
 11. The protective case as claimed in claim 1 further including an absorbent inner liner disposed about the aperture in the end wall of the cap.
 12. A protective case for a paintbrush, the paintbrush having a handle and bristles, and the case comprising: a body having a mouth for receiving the bristles of the paintbrush; and a cap releasably and slidably engageable with the body, the cap having an end wall and a skirt extending from the end wall, the end wall having an aperture configured to allow the handle of the paintbrush to pass therethrough and an absorbent liner disposed about the aperture in the end wall, whereby the bristles of the paintbrush are enclosed and substantially sealed in the protective case when the cap and the body are engaged.
 13. The protective case as claimed in claim 12 wherein the skirt of the cap receives the mouth of the body, the skirt of the cap fitting slidably over an end of the body adjacent to the mouth of the body.
 14. The protective case as claimed in claim 13 further including an outwardly projecting flange on the body, the flange functioning as a stop to restrict slidable movement of the cap along the body when the cap and the body are engaged.
 15. The protective case as claimed in claim 13 further including a contour in the skirt of the cap, the contour functioning as a stop to restrict slidable movement of the cap along the body when the cap and the body are engaged.
 16. The protective case as claimed in claim 13 wherein the skirt of the cap has an inwardly projecting rib and the body has an outwardly projecting rib, the inwardly projecting rib and the outwardly projecting rib functioning to lock the cap on the body.
 17. The protective case as claimed in claim 12 wherein the mouth of the body receives the skirt of the cap, the mouth of the body fitting slidably over the skirt of the cap.
 18. The protective case as claimed in claim 17 wherein the body has an inwardly projecting rib and the skirt of the cap has an outwardly projecting rib, the inwardly projecting rib and the outwardly projecting rib functioning to lock the cap on the body.
 19. The protective case as claimed in claim 12 wherein the body has a wedge shaped receptacle portion opposite of the mouth.
 20. The protective case as claimed in claim 19 wherein the wedge shaped receptacle has a transversely sloped thin edge.
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